Gourmet in the city

Gourmet Glasgow, the annual festival promoting the city’s reputation for great food and top notch restaurants, launches on Monday 4 August in conjunction with Glasgow: Scotland with Style.

Over 50 restaurants in the city will take part in Gourmet Glasgow and Glasgow: Scotland with Style’s Dine Around promotion, offering diners fixed priced menus costing just £15 throughout August with a free dram of Auchentoshan whisky for all meals booked online at graonline.co.uk.

Gourmet Glasgow will also host a range of events throughout the month, including a special shellfish evening at Gamba, a supper club event at Michael Caines, gourmet nights at JT Rochead, wine flight evening at Red Onion and a cookery demonstration at Catch 22.

David Maguire, Chief Executive of Glasgow Restaurateurs Association said:

“Glasgow is a world leading destination and our restaurants reflect the city’s cosmopolitan offering. The image of deep fried mars bars is so far from what’s actually on offer and Gourmet Glasgow is one of the many ways we are helping to promote the city’s much more stylish restaurant offering.”

Glasgow’s restaurants will showcase some of the best produce available to the city and five of the city’s most noted restaurateurs talk about what’s hot in Glasgow just now – and it definitely doesn’t involve deep fried food!

Jacqueline O’Donnell, owner/proprietor of the Sisters restaurants puts healthy eating at the top of her list: “Glasgow has turned its back on the stereotypical deep fried mars bar image. Most of our diners are keen to embrace a healthier lifestyle with fresh produce cooked simply. We’ve gone as far as putting calorie counts on our menus and we’re about to launch a 500 club which will ensure diners can eat a three-course meal for under 500 calories.”

Seumas McInnes, owner of Café Gandolfi agrees with a back to basics approach: “People aren’t after elaborate dishes any more, they want simple, fresh produce. All of our fish is sourced from Scotland. We have some of the best produce in the world and I see no reason to crazy by adding lots of other flavours. There’s a real trend for keeping things simple right now – back to basics is the way forward.”

John Quigley, chef/patron of Red Onion has noticed more and more people showing an interest in where their food comes from: “We’ve noticed a growing number of people asking us about the origins of their food. They want to know where it has been produced, partly because of they want to support local producers and partly to lower their carbon footprint. This is reflected in seasonal menus which most restaurants are now beginning to offer. With the current economic climates people are looking for value for money.”

The latest food trend to hit Glasgow is Slow Food. Fifi and Ally is responsible for bringing this craze to the city. Liam Bedwell, Restaurant Controller, said: “Slow Food is about using sustainable fresh organic produce, working with nature rather than against - in terms of seasons and taking food back to its fundamental status using natural or raw ingredients instead of ready-made or processed foods. This results in good quality dishes with a flare! With Glasgow’s reputation for loving different foods and styles of cooking, I have no doubt this will turn into a great, regular night.”

Monir Mohammed of the Mother India Group notes that people are experimenting more with lots of different flavours throughout their meal: "You should take the time to be able to experiment and get to know and enjoy all the flavours. People are now eating Indian food in a variety of different ways, as they realise it isn't necessary to be full to the brim every single time. More and more people are taking the time to experiment with different dishes and enjoying the diversity of flavours. Try a little, taste a lot." Monir Mohammed of the Mother India Group

Gourmet Glasgow offers diners the perfect opportunity to try something new for a fraction of the cost.

Stay in style with Glasgow and enjoy some of the great gourmet dishes on offer.

Full details of events planned throughout Gourmet Glasgow can be found at graonline.co.uk. Meals can be booked at graonline.co.uk or by calling participating restaurants direct.